Strawberry plant named ‘BG-6.3016’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘BG-6.3016’. This new strawberry plant named ‘BG-6.3016’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its fruit that tends to be longer than broad, very slight difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, strong gloss, very firm fruit flesh, early season fruit production, and medium to long fruiting trusses.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragariaananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘BG-6.3016’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietynamed ‘BG-6.3016’. This new variety is a result of a controlled crossmade in 2006 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry varietydesignated ‘BG-959’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,864) and strawberryselection designated ‘BG-219.068’ (unpatented). Due to the combining ofthe reciprocal seed lots, it is unknown as to which parent variety isthe seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. Thevariety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from acontrolled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the winter of2008. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated bystolons in both Siskiyou County, Calif. and San Joaquin County, Calif.The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years infruiting fields in Ventura County, Calif. This propagation hasdemonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein ascharacterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true-to-type throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘BG-6.3016’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditionsof the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean providesthe humidity and moderate temperatures needed to produce a strong,vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the winter and springproduction months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘BG-6.3016’, which in combinationdistinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Fruit that tends to be longer than broad;    -   2. Very slight difference in shape between primary and secondary        fruit;    -   3. Strong gloss;    -   4. Very firm fruit flesh;    -   5. Early season fruit production; and    -   6. Medium to long fruiting trusses.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related tothe new variety ‘BG-6.3016’ is ‘BG-959’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,864). Inside-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry variety ‘BG-959’,‘BG-6.3016’ differs by the following combination of characteristics asdescribed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ‘BG-959’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘BG-6.3016’ Pat. No. 17,864)Fruit: marketable yield 1,305 1,034 (grams/plant) Fruit: firmness offlesh Very firm Firm Fruit: hollow center Weak Ranges from expressionmoderate to strong Plant: size Ranges from Ranges from medium to largemedium to small Terminal leaf: shape of base Acute Obtuse Foliage: sizeMedium Ranges from medium to small Petiole: size Ranges from Ranges frommedium to long medium to short Petiole: pubescence Sparse Heavy Flowers:position relative to Ranges from level Level with foliage with to aboveabove

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

‘BG-6.3016’ differs from its parents, ‘BG-959’ and ‘BG-219.068’ by thefollowing combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 ‘BG-959’ (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘BG-6.3016’ No. 17,864)‘BG-219.068’ Fruit: color Red Red Orange red Fruit: size (gm) 26.6(medium) 27.2 (medium) 23.0 (ranges from medium to small) Marketableyield 1,305 1,034 1,020 (gm/plant) Plant: size Medium Small Large

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance oftypical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘BG-6.3016’ at variousstages of development, as true as it is reasonably possible with colorreproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightlyfrom the color value cited in the botanical descriptions whichaccurately describe the color of ‘BG-6.3016’. The depicted plant andplant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘BG-6.3016’ are approximatelysix months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County, Calif.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘BG-6.3016’,taken in the month of March;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical leaf structure of‘BG-6.3016’, taken in the month of March;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘BG-6.3016’,taken in the month of March; and

FIG. 4 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristicsof ‘BG-6.3016’, taken in the month of March.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘BG-6.3016’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety‘BG-6.3016’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations inenvironmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity andlight intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, thecharacteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety includedin Tables 1 and 2 of the present invention may vary in detail, dependingupon variations in environmental factors, including weather(temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type andlocation.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following descriptionof the new variety ‘BG-6.3016’, unless otherwise noted, are based onobservations taken during the 2015 growing season in Ventura County,Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of‘BG-6.3016’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in SiskiyouCounty, Calif. during early October 2014 and planted approximately fourto five days later in Ventura County, Calif. The approximate age of theobserved plants is six months. Yield observations including averageweight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristicsincluding soluble solids, are averaged from six years of data collectedfrom the 2010 through 2015 growing seasons. Flower measurements andcharacteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruitcharacteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit, unlessotherwise noted.

Where noted, color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, London (2007).

The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage,fruiting truss, flower, and pest and disease characteristics of the newstrawberry ‘BG-6.3016’.

-   Fruit characteristics:    -   -   Color of mature fruit.—RHS 46B (red).        -   Color of internal flesh.—RHS 45C (medium red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 39B (medium red).        -   Length (cm).—4.7.        -   Width (cm).—3.7.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.28 (ranges from slightly longer than            broad to much longer than broad).        -   Calyx diameter (cm).—3.6.        -   Season average weight (gm).—26.6.        -   Achene color, shaded side.—RHS 153D (yellow green group).        -   Achene color, sun-exposed side.—RHS 182A (greyed red group).        -   Achene weight (mg).—0.58.        -   Achenes per berry.—368.        -   Season marketable yield (gm/plant).—1,305.        -   Predominant shape.—Conical.        -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary            fruit.—Slight.        -   Band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.        -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Glossiness.—Strong.        -   Insertion of achenes.—Level with surface.        -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Outward.        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Slightly            larger.        -   Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Strong.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Ranges from firm to very firm.        -   Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal and            central.        -   Hollow center expression.—Weak.        -   Flavor.—Fair.        -   Soluble solids (% Brix).—6.9.        -   Time of first flowering.—Early, November in Ventura County,            Calif.        -   Time of first harvest.—Early, December in Ventura County,            Calif.        -   Harvest period.—January to May.        -   Harvest maturity.—Early season.        -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant (short day).-   Plant characteristics:    -   -   Height (cm).—22.2.        -   Spread (cm).—33.3.        -   Size.—Ranges from medium to large.        -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Density.—Ranges from sparse to medium.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Stolon characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 146C (yellow green group).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 181A (greyed red group).        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Strong.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Upward.        -   Average quantity (nursery).—Medium (ranges from 5 to 6            runners per square foot).        -   Average diameter at bract (mm).—3.4 (thick).-   Terminal leaflet characteristics:    -   -   Length (cm).—7.5.        -   Width (cm).—6.7.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.12 (longer than broad).        -   Shape of base.—Acute.        -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse (serrate to crenate).        -   Serrations per leaf.—17.7.-   Foliage characteristics:    -   -   Color of upper surface.—RHS N137A (ranges from medium green            to dark green).        -   Color of underside.—RHS 147C (yellow green group).        -   Number of leaflets.—3.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length (cm).—12.0.        -   Width (cm).—14.0.        -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave to flat.        -   Interveinal blistering.—Medium.        -   Leaf glossiness.—Ranges from medium to strong.        -   Leaf variegation.—Absent.-   Petiole characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 145A (yellow green group).        -   Length (cm).—16.0.        -   Diameter (mm).—3.4.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Upward.        -   Pubescence.—Sparse.        -   Petiolule color.—RHS 145A (yellow green group).        -   Petiolule length (mm).—5.3.-   Stipule characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 147C (yellow green group).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 60B (red purple group).        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Ranges from weak to medium.        -   Length (mm).—27.8.        -   Width (mm).—10.3.-   Fruiting truss characteristics:    -   -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Absent or very weak.        -   Length at maturity (cm).—29.6.        -   Position relative to foliage.—Ranges from level with to            above.        -   Number of flowers.—Medium (ranges from 50 to 60 per plant            season long).        -   Pedicel attitude of hairs.—Upward.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Attitude at first pick.—Prostrate.-   Flower characteristics:    -   -   Petal color.—RHS NN155C (white group).        -   Sepal color.—RHS 137A (green group).        -   Receptacle color.—RHS 147C (yellow green group).        -   Anther color.—RHS 17A (yellow orange group).        -   Corolla diameter (mm).—28.0 (medium).        -   Calyx diameter (mm).—36.2.        -   Petal length (mm).—11.0.        -   Petal width (mm).—11.3.        -   Petal length/width ratio.—0.98 (as long as broad).        -   Petals/flower.—5.7.        -   Sepal length (mm).—15.8.        -   Sepal width (mm).—6.4.        -   Sepal length/width ratio.—2.48.        -   Sepals/flower.—11.3.        -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Larger.        -   Size of inner calyx relative to outer calyx.—Smaller.        -   Relative position of petals (flowers with 5-6            petals).—Ranges from touching to overlapping.        -   Stamen.—Present.-   Pest and disease reactions:    -   -   Powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis).—Moderate.        -   Angular leaf spot (Xanthomonas fragaria).—Susceptible.        -   Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately            susceptible.        -   Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).—Moderately            susceptible.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘BG-6.3016’, asherein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.